CELEBRATING THE UNDERLINEOn Wednesday, May 25th, 39 Floors high above Brickell Station, some 200 plus guests enjoyed a cocktail reception in the new EAST, Miami Hotel celebrating Swire Properties and the community’s support for The Underline, the transformative ten mile linear park and trail under the Metrorail.The reception was hosted by Brickell City Centre, Swire Properties and The Underline. Brickell City Centre is Hong Kong headquartered Swire Properties $1 billion mixed use development in Miami’s downtown, and East, Miami Hotel, the group’s first hotel property in the United States. Guests saw video and heard presentations and demonstrative support of the project from the community’s elected and business leaders.Mistress of Ceremonies, Jessi Berrin. Director, Government & Community Relations at Baptist Health South Florida brought together a seamless presentation which began with remarks from Miami Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. The Mayor noted that The Underline is “transforming Miami” and making it the “city of the future,” with the county’s commitment throughout.George Abbott of the Knight Foundation, which has given $500K in a grant to The Friends of The Underline for master plan development, noted that “public spaces define a city” and announced a $5000 award for the 2016 Emerging City Champions Fellowship to implement one project in one year that will improve mobility, public spaces or civic engagement in their home cities. (See below.)President of Swire Properties Stephen Owens, announced a $600K Matching Grant for the development of the first phase of The Underline at Brickell Station, and urged other developers in attendance to join in this effort.Senator Miguel Diaz de la Portilla and Dade Delegation Chair Jose Felix Diaz both spoke to the state funding commitment for the project and presented a $2million check to the organization. Ground-breaking for the “Brickell Backyard” Underline plan is planned for fall 2017. To learn more about The Underline, go to TheUnderline.org. See also SOMI Magazine’s cover feature of April/May 2015 (www.somimag.com).FRIENDS OF THE UNDERLINE’S YPOS LAND KNIGHT EMERGING CITIES CHAMPIONS GRANTIn early May, the Knight Foundation and 8 80 Cities selected 20 civic innovators to participate in the 2016 Emerging City Champions fellowship program. The Friends of The Underline’s YPO will receive $5,000 to implement one project in one year that will improve mobility, public spaces or civic engagement in their home cities.The 2016 Emerging City Champions program review panel weighed each application on a simple set of criteria: 1) Will the project enhance mobility, public spaces and civic engagement; 2) Is the idea new and innovative; and 3) Does the applicant demonstrate qualities of an effective community leader? The 20 successful applicants set themselves apart by submitting powerful solutions to crucial civic challenges.Miami’s winning grant "Brickell Splash" is coming this August featuring the longest Slip N Slide in Miami to raise awareness and momentum for The Underline linear park beginning construction Fall 2017.
